Fond du Lac County Court Records
What Is Fond du Lac County Court Records
Court records in Fond du Lac County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute a comprehensive repository of judicial activities and decisions maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, which establishes the state's commitment to governmental transparency. Court records typically include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing information.
Fond du Lac County court records differ from other public records such as:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Tax records
- Voting and election records
The following courts maintain records within Fond du Lac County:
- Fond du Lac County Circuit Court (branches 1-5)
- Fond du Lac Municipal Court
- North Fond du Lac Municipal Court
- Ripon Municipal Court
These judicial bodies generate and maintain records for various case types including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, small claims disputes, and traffic violations. The Wisconsin Court System provides oversight for record management practices across all circuit courts in the state, including those in Fond du Lac County.
Are Court Records Public In Fond du Lac County
Court records in Fond du Lac County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Wisconsin's Open Records Law, also known as the Public Records Law (Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including court documents, should be available for public inspection and copying.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has further reinforced public access through Supreme Court Rule 72.01, which governs record retention and access policies. Under current law, the following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Civil case files (with limited exceptions)
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets and indexes
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
- Small claims proceedings
- Traffic and ordinance violations
However, certain records may be restricted or sealed by court order, including:
- Juvenile proceedings (unless opened by judicial order)
- Mental health commitment records
- Adoption records
- Certain family court matters involving minors
- Records sealed by judicial discretion for compelling privacy or safety concerns
- Grand jury proceedings
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (which has jurisdiction over Fond du Lac County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state statutes.
How To Find Court Records in Fond du Lac County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Fond du Lac County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county maintains multiple access points for record retrieval, each serving different needs and preferences.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-929-3038
Fond du Lac County Clerk of Courts
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. When requesting records in person, requesters should:
- Complete a records request form available at the clerk's counter
- Provide specific case information (names, case numbers, filing dates)
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.25 per page for regular copies, $5.00 for certified copies)
For written requests, individuals may submit a detailed letter including:
- Requester's full name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Case numbers (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate dates of case activity
- Whether certified copies are needed
Written requests should be addressed to the Clerk of Circuit Court at the address listed above. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(4), the clerk's office must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."
For expedited access, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) online portal provides immediate access to case summaries and limited document information. Complete case files, however, typically require in-person or written requests.
How To Look Up Court Records in Fond du Lac County Online?
Fond du Lac County court records are accessible through several online platforms, each offering varying levels of information and document availability. The primary online resource is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP.
To search for court records using the WCCA system:
- Navigate to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Accept the terms and conditions of use
- Select the desired search method:
- Simple case search (by name)
- Advanced case search (by case number, filing date, etc.)
- Business search (for business entities)
- For name searches, enter the last name and first name of the party
- Optionally narrow results by selecting Fond du Lac County from the county dropdown
- Review the list of matching cases
- Select a specific case to view detailed information including:
- Case summary
- Party information
- Court officials
- Scheduled events
- Case activities and documents filed
- Judgments and liens
For municipal court records, which are not included in the WCCA system, users must contact the specific municipal court directly:
Fond du Lac Municipal Court
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-322-3700
Fond du Lac Municipal Court
For federal cases involving Fond du Lac County residents, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides online access to U.S. District Court records. Unlike the free WCCA system, PACER charges nominal fees for document access.
How To Search Fond du Lac County Court Records for Free?
Wisconsin law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." While copying fees may apply, the inspection itself is free of charge.
Free options for accessing Fond du Lac County court records include:
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Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): This online portal provides free, unlimited searches of circuit court case information. The system includes case summaries, party information, court dates, and judgment details for cases filed in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. The WCCA can be accessed at wicourts.gov/casesearch.
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In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may visit the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court's office during regular business hours to review physical case files at no cost. Computer terminals are also available for free public use to access electronic records.
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Law Library Access: The Fond du Lac County Law Library, located within the courthouse, provides free public access to legal research materials and limited court record information.
While inspection is free, the following fees currently apply for copies:
- Regular photocopies: $1.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $1.25 per page
- Electronic document printouts: $1.25 per page
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters pursuant to court discretion and applicable statutes.
What's Included in a Fond du Lac County Court Record?
Fond du Lac County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type. A typical court record file includes:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer or response
- Motions filed by either party
- Court orders and rulings
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Transcripts of hearings (if ordered)
- Final judgment or dismissal
- Post-judgment motions and orders
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Criminal Cases:
- Criminal complaint or information
- Arrest warrant or summons
- Booking information
- Bail/bond documentation
- Defendant's plea
- Pretrial motions and rulings
- Discovery materials (limited public access)
- Jury selection records (limited public access)
- Verdict or plea agreement
- Sentencing documents
- Probation/parole information
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Family Court Matters:
- Petition for divorce or legal separation
- Financial disclosure statements (may be sealed)
- Temporary orders
- Custody and placement evaluations (often confidential)
- Child support worksheets
- Marital settlement agreements
- Final divorce decree
- Post-judgment modification requests
For Probate Cases:
- Petition for probate or administration
- Death certificate (restricted access)
- Will (if applicable)
- Inventory of estate assets
- Claims against the estate
- Notices to creditors
- Final accounting
- Distribution orders
Each court record also contains a case docket, which serves as a chronological index of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in the case.
How Long Does Fond du Lac County Keep Court Records?
Fond du Lac County adheres to the Wisconsin Court Records Retention Schedule established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72. This comprehensive schedule mandates specific retention periods for various court documents based on case type and document significance.
Key retention periods include:
For Civil Cases:
- Small claims case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Money judgment dockets: 20 years after entry of judgment
- Other civil case files: 20 years after entry of final order
- Civil court record books: Permanent retention
For Criminal Cases:
- Felony case files: 75 years after entry of final judgment
- Misdemeanor case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Traffic and ordinance violations: 5-10 years depending on disposition
- Criminal court record books: Permanent retention
For Family Court Matters:
- Divorce case files: 30 years after entry of judgment
- Paternity case files: 50 years after entry of judgment
- Child support payment records: Until the youngest child reaches age 33
- Family court record books: Permanent retention
For Probate Cases:
- Formal and informal probate files: 75 years after filing
- Guardianship and conservatorship files: 7 years after termination
- Trust files: 7 years after termination of trust
- Probate court record books: Permanent retention
Case indexes, judgment dockets, and certain other records are maintained permanently. After the designated retention period expires, records may be destroyed pursuant to court order. However, many historically significant records are preserved indefinitely or transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society for archival purposes.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records, though the storage medium may change over time due to technological advancements.
Types of Courts In Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac County's judicial system consists of several courts operating at different levels of jurisdiction. Each court handles specific types of cases as prescribed by Wisconsin law.
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-929-3038
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Circuit Court is divided into five branches, each presided over by an elected circuit court judge serving six-year terms. As courts of general jurisdiction, these branches handle felonies, misdemeanors, civil litigation, family matters, probate, and juvenile cases.
Fond du Lac Municipal Court
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-322-3700
Fond du Lac Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Municipal Court handles ordinance violations, traffic citations, and minor offenses occurring within city limits.
North Fond du Lac Municipal Court
16 Garfield Street
North Fond du Lac, WI 54937
920-929-3765
North Fond du Lac Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
This court handles ordinance violations and minor offenses within the Village of North Fond du Lac.
Ripon Municipal Court
100 Jackson Street
Ripon, WI 54971
920-748-4914
Ripon Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Ripon Municipal Court addresses ordinance violations and minor offenses within the City of Ripon.
Appeals from Fond du Lac County Circuit Court decisions are heard by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II, located in Waukesha. Further appeals may proceed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Madison. Municipal court decisions may be appealed to the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court.
What Types of Cases Do Fond du Lac County Courts Hear?
Fond du Lac County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority. The distribution of case types among the county's courts is as follows:
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court handles:
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Criminal Cases
- Felonies (Class A through I)
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal traffic offenses (OWI/DUI, reckless driving)
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings (typically confidential)
-
Civil Cases
- Personal injury claims
- Contract disputes
- Property litigation
- Civil rights actions
- Small claims (under $10,000)
- Eviction proceedings
- Restraining orders and injunctions
-
Family Law Matters
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and placement
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Paternity determinations
- Adoption proceedings
- Name changes
- Domestic abuse injunctions
-
Probate Matters
- Estate administration
- Will probate
- Guardianships (minor and adult)
- Conservatorships
- Mental health commitments
- Trust administration
Municipal Courts in Fond du Lac County (including Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, and Ripon) have jurisdiction over:
- Municipal ordinance violations
- First-offense OWI/DUI (if adopted by municipal ordinance)
- Parking citations
- Building code violations
- Public nuisance complaints
- Animal control violations
- Juvenile non-criminal matters (curfew violations, underage tobacco use)
- Minor traffic offenses occurring within municipal boundaries
Case assignment within the five branches of the Circuit Court follows a rotation system established by the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial Administrative District, with certain specializations among judges based on experience and caseload management considerations.
How To Find a Court Docket In Fond du Lac County
Court dockets in Fond du Lac County provide chronological listings of scheduled hearings, filings, and judicial actions for specific cases. Members of the public can access these dockets through several methods.
The most efficient way to view court dockets is through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) online portal:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Select "Calendar" from the search options
- Choose "Fond du Lac County" from the dropdown menu
- Select the desired date range (up to a 30-day period)
- Optionally filter by case type, judge, or courtroom
- Review the resulting calendar showing all scheduled court proceedings
For daily court schedules, visitors may also:
- Check the physical bulletin boards located outside each courtroom in the Fond du Lac County Courthouse
- Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court's office to request a printed copy of the day's docket
- Call the Clerk's office at 920-929-3038 to inquire about specific hearings
For municipal court dockets, contact the specific municipal court directly:
- Fond du Lac Municipal Court: 920-322-3700
- North Fond du Lac Municipal Court: 920-929-3765
- Ripon Municipal Court: 920-748-4914
Attorneys registered with the Wisconsin Court System's electronic filing system can access dockets through their eFiling accounts. Media representatives may register for specialized access to court calendars through the Clerk of Courts office.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.40(2)(c), the Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining accurate court dockets and making them available for public inspection during regular business hours.
Which Courts in Fond du Lac County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Wisconsin's judicial system, a "court of record" is defined by Wisconsin Statute § 753.01 as a court that maintains formal transcripts and records of proceedings, has the authority to fine or imprison, and whose decisions may be appealed to higher courts. Courts not of record typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures and do not routinely create verbatim transcripts of proceedings.
Within Fond du Lac County, the following courts are not courts of record:
- Fond du Lac Municipal Court
- North Fond du Lac Municipal Court
- Ripon Municipal Court
These municipal courts handle ordinance violations, minor traffic offenses, and other municipal infractions. Key characteristics of these non-record courts include:
- Proceedings are not automatically transcribed by court reporters
- Judges are not required to be attorneys (though many are)
- More informal procedures than circuit courts
- Limited jurisdiction confined to municipal ordinance violations
- Appeals from these courts proceed to Fond du Lac County Circuit Court as trials de novo (new trials), rather than reviews of the record
In contrast, the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court (all five branches) is a court of record. Circuit court proceedings are recorded verbatim, comprehensive case files are maintained, and appeals are based on the official record created during the original proceedings.
The distinction between courts of record and non-record courts is significant for parties considering appeals, as appeals from municipal courts to circuit courts essentially restart the case completely, while appeals from circuit courts to the Court of Appeals are limited to reviewing the existing record for errors of law or procedure.